Introducing “Network governance: Alliances, cooperatives and franchise chains”

Abstract

Network governance through alliances, cooperatives and franchise chains aims to explore and exploit knowledge in interfirm relationships in order to realize competitive advantage by creating relational rents and/or reducing coordination and agency costs (e.g. Blair and Lafontaine 2005; Cliquet and Penard 2012; Combs et al. 2011; Dant et al. 2011; Dyer 1997; Dyer et al. 1998; Meiseberg and Ehrmann 2012; Grandori 2010; Gulati 2007; Hendrikse and Feng 2012; Kale et al. 2007, 2009; Madhok and Tallman 1998; March 1991; Mayer and Salomon 2006; Poppo and Zenger 2002; Schilke and Goerzen 2010; Tuunanen et al. 2011; Windsperger 2012). The current book emphasizes network research by offering new perspectives on formal and informal network governance. In particular, issues on interorganizational learning, relational norms (e.g. trust), knowledge transfer in alliances, governance and incentives in cooperatives, governance of international retail chains, goal achievement in supply chain networks, network uniformity and intercultural aspects in franchising, development of new franchise governance forms, determinants of the decision-making process regarding franchising versus self-employment as well as efficacy of pre-purchase disclosure in franchise relationships are discussed.